DE102014008692B4 - Device for automatic tablet dispensing - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for the automatic and timed dispensing of tablets (20) comprising a plurality of magazines (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4) for receiving a plurality of tablets (20), wherein the magazines (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4) are arranged on a holding part (2) each magazine (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4) is releasably connectable to the holding part (2), wherein one or more openings (12) in the holding part (2) are formed, wherein at the holding part (2) at least one Output mechanism for dispensing a tablet (20) from one or more magazines (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4) is arranged; characterized in that the holding part (2) is a flat plate for receiving a plurality of magazines (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4), wherein the magazines (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4) are designed as rotary magazines and each have a magazine rotor (30) have, wherein the flat plate recesses for receiving the plurality of magazines (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4), wherein the flat plate in the region of the recesses each having an opening (12), wherein the magazines (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 ) are arranged horizontally in the operating state of the device, wherein on the device at least one inclined plane (11) for dispensing a tablet (20) from one or more magazines (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4) is provided, each magazine rotor (30) is driven by an electric stepper motor (8), wherein the output of a tablet by further rotation of the rotary magazine by the stepping motor (8) by a certain increment, and wherein the opening (12) ensures that the tablets only after a certain angle of rotation are ejected.

Description

The invention relates to a device for the automated dispensing of tablets or other medicaments.

In the context of the invention below is always spoken of tablets. Thus, various types of tablets, ie tablets of different dimensions, but also gelatin capsules, which are also referred to as oblong or oval, meant. A non-exhaustive list of various tablets within the meaning of the claimed invention can be found in the following list: long tablets height min: 5.5 mm max: 9 mm width min: 7 mm max: 10 mm length min: 15 mm max: 22 mm Gelatin capsules / Oblong / Oval height min: 3.5 mm max: 7 mm width min: 5 mm max: 8,5 mm length min: 13 mm max: 18 mm round tablets height min: 3 mm max: 5 mm width min: 6 mm max: 10 mm length min: 6 mm max: 10 mm 1/2 tablets gelatin / oblong / oval height min: 3.5 mm max: 7 mm width min: 5 mm max: 8,5 mm length min: 6 mm max: 10 mm small tablets (1/4 or 1/3 tablets) height min: 2.5 mm max: 4 mm width min: 3 mm max: 5 mm length min: 3 mm max: 5 mm eggs tablets height min: 7 mm max: 10 mm width min: 7 mm max: 10 mm length min: 13 mm max: 15 mm

It is important that the drug is present as a more or less solid body. A liquid without a protective gelatine coat is not suitable for dispensing with the device according to the invention. However, a gelatin capsule that includes a liquid drug is also a tablet in the sense of the claimed invention.

In particular, sick and elderly people often have to take several different medications, with different timing and time intervals between taking each medication. Especially when it comes to highly effective drugs, improper use - too frequent, too seldom, or at the wrong time - can seriously affect your health of the patient. In order to ensure the supply of these patients with medicaments, various devices have been described in the prior art.

For example, from the US 6,662,081 B1 a device is known which has a holding part which can hold seven magazines, corresponding to the seven days of a week. For each day of the week, the corresponding magazine is filled with the necessary tablets for this day. In order to spend the tablets temporarily stored in the magazines on time, an actuator is provided which is always placed on the magazine corresponding to a day of the week and accomplishes the dispensing of the tablets. This device is quite helpful, but it still has not insignificant weaknesses (eg the complicated sorting).

Out DE 10 2011 080 943 A1 a device for automatic tablet dispensing is known, which has in a holding part receptacles for several magazines, in each of which several tablets of a variety are stored. In the magazines, the tablets are stored one above the other, with the lowest tablet in each case being conveyed through the opening into the dispenser by a slide. Due to the design of the magazines, these are difficult to fill.

Out US 4 953 745 A a device for automatic tablet dispensing is known, which has in a holding part receptacles for several magazines, in each of which several tablets of a variety are stored. The magazines are designed as rotary magazines, wherein the actuator is mounted directly on the magazine. The drive shaft of the actuator is formed as a semicircle, so that the rotor can be placed only in a certain position on the actuator.

In the out US 4 953 745 A known device, the magazines are used vertically, so they must be removed for filling.

Out US 4,811,764 A a device for automatic tablet dispensing is known, which has in a holding part receptacles for several magazines, in each of which several tablets of a variety are stored. The magazines are designed as rotary magazines, wherein the actuator is mounted directly on the magazine. This drives the magazine via a gear transmission. When removed, the magazine rotor may get into wrong positions. In the out US 4,811,764 A known device, the magazines are used horizontally and one above the other, so they must be removed for filling. From US 4,811,764 A known invention does not have a removal device. For dispensing the drugs an external aid, such as a cup is necessary.

Starting from the prior art, it is an object of the claimed invention, the disadvantages mentioned not or not to that extent exhibit. This object is achieved by the subject matter of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The transport, taken from a magazine of the device according to the invention tablets, is gravity assisted on the inclined plane in a base part, which is mounted below the holding part.

One aspect of the device according to the invention is the fact that for each drug that the patient needs, a separate magazine is equipped with the corresponding tablets. The holding part is a substantially flat plate with round recesses in which openings are provided in each case. These are arranged substantially horizontally in the operating state of the device.

This makes it possible, depending on the prescribed frequency of tablet intake always spend at the desired time from the corresponding magazine a tablet. In order to make the patient aware that he must take a tablet, an optical signal, for example in the form of a flashing LED, and / or an acoustic signal, for example in the form of a beep or a voice message, output from the device according to the invention become. The frequency of medication of the different drugs may be different. Each drug is dispensed according to the prescribed frequency of use accordingly from the magazine in which it is located. The intake of other drugs is completely independent. Thus, it is sufficient to fill the magazines with the right medication. The correct medication is ensured by a control device of the device according to the invention in that a respective tablet is dispensed from the corresponding magazine when it provides for the medication. The nurse does not have to, such. B. from the cited prior art, for one day fill the medication in the correct order in the magazine. It is enough to fill the right magazine with the right tablet.

The output of a tablet from a magazine is carried out by further rotation of the rotary magazine by the stepper motor by a certain increment. This will open a new compartment and allow the tablet to fall out. This tablet then falls on the inclined plane in the lower part / base part and rolls gravity assisted to a discharge opening / output.

Output device:

The heart of the automatic tablet is the dispensing mechanism. Its most important function is the safe dispensing of individual tablets of different shape. It is thus possible to spend large and very small tablets. The stepper motor will continue to rotate as much as necessary to dispense exactly one tablet. To store enough tablets in each magazine, the rotary magazine is divided into several separate sections.

A recess in the holding part ensures that the tablets are ejected only after a certain angle of rotation and then transported through a free space in a discharge chute / a removal drawer. In order to be able to transfer the tablets dispensed from the magazine (s) to the patient in a position easily accessible to the patient, the base part with an output is present below the holding part. This output is supplied via the inclined plane with the tablets dispensed from the magazines, so that the patient always sees, can take a tablet in the output, which can be designed as a grip or drawer, and thus ensures that he is supplied with tablets in time and in the prescribed dosage.

In order to make the patient aware that he should take a tablet signaling means are provided in the inventive design of the device, which output a visual and / or audible signal when a tablet is in the output. For this purpose, above the output LEDs (LEDs) and / or a speaker can be arranged, which visually and acoustically alert the patient to the upcoming tablet intake. The signaling means are controlled by the control device of the device according to the invention.

Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the invention are the following drawings and their descriptions removed.

drawings

Show it:

1 an isometric view of the device according to the invention with the lid open 3 ,

2a a plan view of the device according to the invention without a lid 3

2 B a front view.

3a a front view of the device according to the invention with the lid open 3

3b a section along the line AA.

4a the assembly of the changing magazine

4b a section along the line AA.

5a a top view with magazine cover 31 according to 4

5b a front view of the output mechanism

6a a top view without magazine cover 31 according to 4

6b a view of the output mechanism from below.

In the 1 an inventive device for automatic and / or timed dispensing of tablets is shown. From bottom to top, the device according to the invention comprises the base part 1 with an issue 5 , On the base part 1 is the holding part 2 placed on which by a releasable connection, preferably a clip connection, are connected to each other. The holding part 2 has a lid 3 , the Indian 1 is shown open. If the lid 3 opened, the magazines can be filled. Via an input device 6 a control device of the device according to the invention is programmed so that at the, prescribed by the doctor, the tablets to be taken in the output 5 reach. In the 1 are in the holding part four magazines 7.1 . 7.2 . 7.3 . 7.4 inserted into the device. It is therefore possible to store up to four different drugs in each case in a separate magazine and according to the dose prescribed by the doctor on the issue 5 issue. In general, the number of magazines is not limited, the device of the invention has several magazines, ideally 4 or 8.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first magazine contains 7.1 a first drug in tablet form. The second magazine 7.2 contains tablets of a second drug. If, for example, the first drug must be taken once a day in the morning, then the control device of the device according to the invention via the input device 6 programmed so that every day in the morning a tablet from the first magazine 7.1 is issued. About a display 13 can on further revenue z. B. eye drops or the like. For example, if the second drug, which is in the second magazine 7.2 is to be taken three times a day, ie morning, noon and evening, then it is via the input device 6 possible, for the second magazine 7.2 For example, a medication dispenser at 8 o'clock to program at 12 o'clock and at 18 o'clock. At these programmed times then each one tablet from the second magazine 7.2 brought out and gravity assisted to the issue 5 promoted.

Accordingly, the tablets can be programmed separately for the other magazines for each drug in these magazines. This is possible because only one drug is temporarily stored in each magazine, so that the targeted dispensing of a tablet from this magazine this tablet can be made available to the patient at the prescribed time. The doctor determines the time to take the medicine.

The issue of drugs stored in different magazines can be done independently. It is of course also possible to spend a drug only every other day or once a week or at other intervals. In this regard, the device according to the invention 1 no restrictions. It can be for each drug any time specification of the attending physician on the input device 6 programmed and thus implemented. When the magazines 7.1 . 7.2 . 7.3 . 7.4 and the control unit has been programmed, the lid can 3 be closed again and with a lock 4 secured against unauthorized opening.

In the 2 B the device according to the invention is shown in a view from the front. It is clear that the device according to the invention is very smooth surface, has no projections and edges and only the output 5 comes out of the very reduced contour, making it very easy for the patients who may be in the issue 5 remove tablets from the drawer. In magazine holder part 32 out 2a and the holding part 2 are breakthroughs 12 arranged so that a tablet accordingly 20 can be issued from the magazines.

In the 3b is a longitudinal section along the line AA 3a shown. In this longitudinal section along the line AA is the basic structure, as it also made 1 shows, to recognize well.

Below the magazines, which by an actuator, preferably an electric actuator, as a stepper motor 8th are trained, drivable, is the inclined plane 11 about the pills coming out of magazine 7.1 or 7.3 (both visible in this section) were spent and on the inclined plane 11 fall, with the help of gravity to issue 5 reach. Once the tablet is out of the dispensing mechanism over the breakthrough 12 pushed, she falls on the inclined plane 11 and then roll or roll to the unloading drawer 10 , The shape of the rotary magazine makes it possible to dispense large and small tablets.

4a puts a single magazine with magazine cover 31 in the top view. On the magazine cover 31 the direction of rotation of the magazine is indicated by an arrow to the insertion of the magazines in the holding part 2 to simplify. On average AA, shown in 4b you can see the inside of the magazines. The stepper motor 8th drives via a magazine drive part 33 the magazine rotor 30 on, provided the magazine cover 31 was removed because the magazine cover 31 via a positioning nose 38 features, with the magazine cover 31 the magazine rotor 30 blocked against rotation. The magazine rotor 30 rotates inside the magazine holder 32 and pushes the appropriate tablet over the breakthrough. A transmitting diode 35 sends a signal coming from a receiver diode 36 is recorded. The control device (not shown) of the device according to the invention thereby detects whether the magazine rotor 30 is properly positioned. The magazine drive part 33 is designed as a regular polygon. The magazine rotor 30 can be set up as it has on the inside also a corresponding regular polygon as a counterpart. As a result, a latching function is realized when inserting the magazines, with the magazines resting on insertion into the correct position without having to pay attention to the insertion position on the part of the operator.

The 5a shows a top view with magazine cover 31 and 5b a front view of a magazine. The identical magazines 7.1 . 7.2 . 7.3 and 7.4 are designed as round rotary magazines and can be removed and transported the device of the invention.

The 6a shows a top view without magazine cover 31 , In the plan view, the individual compartments for the corresponding tablets 20 to recognize. The view from below in 6b shows the breakthrough 12 a magazine through which the tablets 20 gravity assisted in the issue 5 reach. In a recording magazine drive 37 becomes the magazine drive part 33 plugged. This is done by the stepper motor 8th driven and rotates the magazine rotor 30 at a desired angle.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

base

2

holding part

3

cover

4

lock

5

output

6

input device

7.1

magazine

7.2

magazine

7.3

magazine

7.4

magazine

8th

stepper motor

10

removal drawer

11

Inclined plane

12

breakthrough

13

display

20

tablets

30

Magazine rotor

31

magazine cover

32

Magazine holding part

33

Magazine drive part

35

transmitting diode

36

receiver diode

37

Recording magazine drive

38

positioning nose

Claims (10)

Device for the automatic and timed dispensing of tablets ( 20 ) comprising several magazines ( 7.1 . 7.2 . 7.3 . 7.4 ) for receiving several tablets ( 20 ), the magazines ( 7.1 . 7.2 . 7.3 . 7.4 ) on a holding part ( 2 ) are arranged, each magazine ( 7.1 . 7.2 . 7.3 . 7.4 ) detachable with the holding part ( 2 ) is connectable, whereby one or more breakthroughs ( 12 ) in the holding part ( 2 ) are formed, wherein on the holding part ( 2 ) at least one dispensing mechanism for dispensing a tablet ( 20 ) from one or more magazines ( 7.1 . 7.2 . 7.3 . 7.4 ) is arranged; characterized in that the holding part ( 2 ) a flat plate for holding a plurality of magazines ( 7.1 . 7.2 . 7.3 . 7.4 ), the magazines ( 7.1 . 7.2 . 7.3 . 7.4 ) are designed as rotary magazines and in each case a magazine rotor ( 30 ), wherein the flat plate recesses for receiving the plurality of magazines ( 7.1 . 7.2 . 7.3 . 7.4 ), wherein the flat plate in the region of the recesses in each case a breakthrough ( 12 ), the magazines ( 7.1 . 7.2 . 7.3 . 7.4 ) are arranged horizontally in the operating state of the device, wherein at least one inclined plane on the device ( 11 ) for dispensing a tablet ( 20 ) from one or more magazines ( 7.1 . 7.2 . 7.3 . 7.4 ), each magazine rotor ( 30 ) of an electric stepper motor ( 8th ), wherein the output of a tablet by further rotation of the rotary magazine by the stepping motor ( 8th ) by a certain increment, and where the breakthrough ( 12 ) ensures that the tablets are ejected only after a certain angle of rotation. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the magazines ( 7.1 . 7.2 . 7.3 . 7.4 ) with the lid open ( 3 ) can be filled from above. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tablets ( 20 ) down into an output ( 5 ) are dispensable. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that these magazines ( 7.1 . 7.2 . 7.3 . 7.4 ) are also designed as removable magazines. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each magazine rotor ( 30 ) of an electric stepper motor ( 8th ) which can be driven by a magazine drive part ( 33 ), which is designed as a regular polygon. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a base part ( 1 ) and the holding part ( 2 ) are connectable to each other by a detachable connection. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the base part ( 1 ), below the holding part ( 2 ), the edition ( 5 ) having. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the base part ( 1 ) the at least one inclined plane ( 11 ), which from the breakthroughs ( 12 ) of the holding part ( 2 ) tablets are gravity assisted to the output ( 5 ) makes conductive. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a control device is provided, the at least one of the stepper motors ( 8th ) timed and / or event-controlled so that the stepper motor ( 8th ) associated magazine rotor ( 30 ) performs a rotational movement and thus the corresponding tablet of a magazine ( 7.1 . 7.2 . 7.3 . 7.4 ) about the breakthrough ( 12 ) on the inclined plane ( 11 ). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that signaling means are provided to alert the user that a tablet must be taken.

Images